Press Information Bureau Government of IndiaMinistry of Defence30-August-2007 17:56 IST

Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments
also announced

Lt Gen Milan Lalitkumar Naidu, presently Army Commander of Army’s Shimla based Training Command is to be the next Vice Chief of Indian Army. He will take over from Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor, who is to be the next Army Chief from 01 Oct 2007.

Lieutenant General Naidu had his early education at St Joseph’s Convent, Bhopal, and to continue his family tradition, joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, where he excelled in marksmanship (shooting).

Commissioned in the Rajput Regiment in Dec 1967, he has had a long and chequered career having served in all sectors and terrain in India and abroad. As Commanding Officer of 5 Rajput he participated in Op PAWAN in Sri Lanka where he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal. He has the experience of Commanding a Brigade in the semi desert terrain, a Division in the Plains of Punjab during Op PARAKRAM and a Corps in the High Altitude and Glaciated area.

Selected to attend the Defence Services Staff College Course in Canada, Lt
Gen Naidu has also attended the Higher Command Course at the Army War College. He also holds a Post Graduate in Environmental and Ecological Sciences.

Lt Gen Naidu’s forte has been in the field on instruction. Having trained cadets and young officers at the Indian Military Academy and the Infantry School, he has also had the distinction of being the Commandant of Indian Army’s premier officers’ training establishment for combat – The Army War College.

Lt Gen Naidu has had varied operational staff experience at all levels including a stint at the Military Operations Directorate at Army HQs. He was also the Defence Attaché in Germany.

He is a keen sportsman and formed part of the Services team in the National Skeet Shooting Championship in 1968. He still plays golf, tennis and cricket. His leisure hours are devoted to angling, trekking, reading, photography and music.

Lt Gen Naidu is also the recipient of Ati Vishist Seva Medal for distinguished services.

Lt Gen Naidu is married to Mrs Neeharika who is an daughter of Lt Col Awasthy, a veteran of World War II and 1962 Operations.

Other Senior Appointments

The appointments of the new General Officers Commanding (Army Commanders) of Chandimandir based Western Command, Pune based Southern Command and successor to Lt Gen ML Naidu in the Training Command have also been announced.

Lt Gen TK Sapru, presently a Corps Commander in J&K is to be the next Western Army Commander. He takes over from Lt Gen Daljeet Singh who is retiring on 31 Oct 2007. Lt Gen TK Sapru is from The GORKHA Regiment.

Lt Gen N Thamburaj , presently a Corps Commander in Punjab is to be the next Army Commander of HQ Southern Command. He takes over from Lt Gen Aditya Singh who is retiring 30 Sep 2007. Lt Gen N Thamburaj is a from the Corps of Engineers.

Lt Gen JK Mohanty, presently the Commandant of Mhow based Army War College is to be next Army Commander of Army’s Training Command. He replaces Lt Gen ML Naidu who is to be the next Vice Chief from 01 Oct 2007.